Use of beacons on VIP vehicles curbed

A notification on the use of coloured lights atop vehicles disallows even parliamentarians from using them.

A new notification on the use of coloured lights atop vehicles may mean bad news for many VIPs who like to flaunt their red beacons.

The Central Government and the government of National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi have issued a new notification for the use of coloured lights atop vehicles. The notification disallows even parliamentarians from using these lights.

So if anyone - apart from the categories notified by the governments - is found using these lights or sirens to wiggle out of clogged traffic, the traffic police can prosecute them.

The new rule permits only the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, former presidents, deputy prime ministers, Chief Justice of India, Lok Sabha Speaker, central cabinet ministers, deputy chairman of Planning Commission, former prime ministers, leaders of opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha and judges of the Supreme Court to use the red light with flasher anywhere in the country. That too only when they are on duty.

The Chief Election Commissioner, Comptroller and Auditor General, Rajya Sabha deputy chairman, Lok Sabha deputy speaker, ministers of states, Planning Commission members, attorney general of India, cabinet secretary, chief staff of three services and deputy ministers can use the red light but without a flasher.

Also officiating chiefs of staffs of three services holding rank of Lieutenant Generals or equivalent, Central Administrative Tribunal chairman, Minorities Commission chairman, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission chairman and Union Public Services Commission chairman are allowed to use the red beacon.

In the NCT, Lieutenant governor, chief minister, chief justice of high court, judges of high court, assembly speaker, state cabinet ministers, leader of opposition can have a red light with a flasher inside the territory.

The state election commissioner, deputy speaker of the assembly, state chief secretary, general officer commanding of Delhi area can use a red beacon without flasher when they are on duty.

The blue revolving-cum-flasher light is permissible only on police patrol vehicles, pilot vehicles and transport department vehicles in the capital territory. Only emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire-brigades and vehicles of Delhi police control room can use red revolving-cum-flasher lights in the capital.

The notification clearly says if the vehicles fitted with red light are not carrying dignitaries, the lights should not be used and should be covered.

In a bulletin issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat, MPs have been asked to follow these rules strictly inside the parliament complex also. Official sources said the new notification was issued after many leaders, including MPs were found using red beacons.